The swinging sex nightclub opened up last December across the road from the God TV headquarters [NORTH NEWS & PICTURES]

On one side of the road church ­ministers, pastors and preachers take to the airwaves to educate ­millions of viewers about religion.

On the other, saucy pole dancers ­welcome single people and married ­couples for £20-a-head romps with ­strangers.

God TV is a global organisation that broadcasts 24 hours a day, mainly from Jerusalem.

Its UK base is at the ­appropriately named Angel House on Hudson Road in Hendon, Sunderland.

The Vivente Club opened for business across the street in December.

Councillors in Sunderland are furious, with one branding it “sordid”.

For a £25 annual membership fee swingers have access to three lounges and six “playrooms”. They can also stay the night for just £30.

Regular theme nights include Pirates and Wenches, Back to School and James Bond. In January they laid on a saucy Burns Night party.

The club, which is close to a primary school, attracts swingers from all over the UK who have posted rave reviews on website fabswingers.com.

One said: “Very large bed area where you can fit over ten couples on.”

Another added that the staff “bent over backwards to help”.

FIRST NIGHT: The swingers' club, which is said to have a bed that can fit ten couples, opened with a grand opening party [SCREENSHOT]

“If someone wants to live a swinging lifestyle let them do it in their own homes, not on the doorstep of Hendon residents, around the corner from a local school and near places of worship”

Sunderland councillor Barbara McClellan

A third wrote: “There were pole ­dancers offering to help people” and “plenty of space to chill and get chatty or sexy”.

But Sunderland councillor Barbara McClellan said: “The particularly sordid nature of this club makes me, backed by local residents, even more determined to block this blatant attempt to cash in on people’s sexual interests.

“If someone wants to live a swinging lifestyle let them do it in their own homes, not on the doorstep of Hendon residents, around the corner from a local school and near places of worship.”

Swinging, where couples swap partners, is not illegal but Sunderland City Council says the Vivente Club does not have a licence to be in business.

A spokesman said: “The use of the premises is unauthorised and needs ­planning permission.

“All planning ­applications are ­considered on their ­individual merits and have to undergo a statutory period of public consultation. On its website the Vivente Club states: “We aim to bring a whole new modern approach to the swinging lifestyle.

“We want to break the stereotypical ideals people have about swinging and hopefully bring something fresh and vibrant to our venue.”

A spokesman said the club provided a much-needed service in Sunderland, adding: “There is nothing of danger or ­offensive about professional couples entering a building and the door closing behind them.

“Swinging couples are spicing up a ­relationship and that is far better than ­affairs and divorce affecting the family unit and devastating children.

“This lifestyle keeps families together.”

God TV did not responded to a request for a comment.Swingers have access to three lounges and six playrooms at the club